Childbirth: A Cultural Historical Overview

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Transcript of Childbirth: A Cultural Historical Overview

1800sIn 1894 the first Cesarean section was performed in BostonIn 1898, Dr. August Bier created the predecessor of the modern epidural by injecting cocaine into his assistant's spine numbing the lower bodyIn the late 1800s there was a shift towards emphasis on hygiene because of breakthroughs in bacteriology1900-1950Childbirth: A Cultural, Historical Overview By: Jeremiah M., Vanessa R., April O., and Allison BMedical advancements in ChildbirthFor Natural BirthLessons Learned from Other CulturesLessons from History

From the 1750s to the 1880s, doctors did not connect infection with hand washing and would go from an autopsy to to delivering a baby without proper hand washing causing many deaths during delivery and post-deliveryIn 1772 twenty percent of women contacted childbed fever which had a high mortality rateChildbirth History Midwifes - monitor mother and babies' healthherbs, massage techniques - ease pain, calm down, pattern breathing - reduces pain of contractionhypnosis - eliminate pain and fearwater immersion -stimulates labor contractions to be strong and regular due to relaxation

Types of Child birthIn the 1900s doctors were more present in childbirth by being in half of the nation's births these births were of the middle and upper class women. Those who could not afford a doctor were cared for by a midwifeIn 1950 eighty-eighty percent of of women gave birth in a hospital Mom viewed as an active participant vs. patientWalking in early labor to speed the process1st Stage: Non-medical comfort techniques (water, massage, different positions)2nd Stage: upright delivery positions to use gravity (standing, kneeling, sitting, supported squatting)Midwives and DoulasCommunal care for mom during labor, delivery and postnatal periodBreastfeeding as the norm, with support from experienced women

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance midwives were exclusively women and in most cases always delivered the babies.Even though they were not doctors, midwives had a better understanding of childbirth than most doctors at the timeDuring the 1500-1700s the men in the Chamberlen family in England began to attend births and developed instruments for use in obstructed labor, most notably the forceps, which they kept secret for over 100 years

1700-1800Overall reduction in infant and maternal mortality in US due to medical advancesMultiple options for mothers in developed countries: health care providers, setting and pain management"Cascade of interventions"Judicious use of medical interventions - best practicesPerinatal and Maternal Mortality in the USPeruvian Woman Laboring in an Upright Position Maternal Mortality by Region, 2005Maternal death rates difficult to measure, especially in developing countries Reasons for maternal deaths vary from region to regionHemorrhage: main cause in Sub-Saharan Africa and South AsiaHypertension and labor complications: main factors in East Asia/Pacific and Latin America/CarribbeanIn Industrialized Countries, the main causes are complications from C-sections and anesthesiaNeonatal Deaths by Cause, 2000Each year, around 4 million Newborns die before they are 28 days oldnewborns in developing countries are 8 times more likely to die than those in Industrial countriesreducing neonatal care requires better access to prenatal care for mother and access to quality care throughout pregnancy and childbirthPrenatal interventions: detection and treatments of maternal illnesses like malaria, syphillis and pre-eclampsiaDuring Childbirth: management of labor to avoid complications; safe, clean deliveriesAfter birth: breastfeeding within the 1st hour of birth and keeping baby warmBalinese Babies cannot touch the ground until they reach babies cannot touch the ground until they reach 3 months Jamaica, China and India Eating of the placenta to gain back nutrients Pakistani women are isolated during pregnancy Nigeria The elders usually spit on the baby they do that as a way of passing on knowledge to the new generationVaginal Birth Epidural birthScheduled CesareanUnplanned Cesarean The only way would would need an unplanned Caesarean is if your baby 's head is faced downthe baby is too large to pass through the pelvisthe baby is in distress

In 1976, The Children's bureau funded education for midwives.In the early 1970s, conflict between feminists and medical profession about natural birthFem: Natural birth = not a disease therefore being hospitalized is unneccesaryDoc: needed to be hospitalized to ensure safety of the child and motherBack then, if a doctor was caught helping a homebirth, he/she would lose priveleges and lose his/her license BUT homebirth was not illegal. Natural birth generally gives women a "strong feeling of empowerment during labor and a sense of accomplishment afterward" + emotional support via loved ones